This week I dipped my toe into new waters by trying a new brew: one that resembles wine nearly as much as it does beer!
Before I get into the details of the taste, I should note that one of the recent trends in the world of craft beverages has been mixing mediums during the brewing, aging, or distillation process. Some examples of the combination-crafts are dry-hopped Chardonnay, wine barrel-aged ale, and hopped vodka. I’ve had an eye out for these concoctions for a couple of months now, and only stumbled upon this beer over the weekend at a local tasting room called McGregors.
Enter: Old Redwood Brewing Company’s Herbst Blauer American Pale Ale.
This Pale is brewed with Galaxy and Southern Cross hops, as well as fresh-pressed Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Yep, you read that right. Grapes in beer!
Old Redwood Brewing Company is located in Sonoma County, California, so it is no wonder that the worlds of wine and beer have melded together here.
So, what does this unusual concoction taste like?
The first word I would use to describe the beer is “oaky”. In that sense, your first sip resembles the body that a chilled glass of oaked Sauvignon Blanc would carry. The oaky backbone of the beer is quickly followed by a fruity, full-bodied hop profile. Suddenly your palate transforms from recognizing a palate of wine flavors to a palate of an earthy, bitter beer. The overall taste of the Herbst Blauer Pale Ale is completely unique, but really enjoyable!
The details:
ABV: 5.9%
IBU: 44
Price per 750ml bottle (from the brewery): $12.00
My overall recommendation: buy it if you see it! It may not be your everyday drinking beer, but it’s a great way to enjoy something new in the realm of craft beverages.
Have you tried any of these beverage crossovers? Let me know in the comments below!
Excellent post! I’m going to keep an eye out for this one.